Steve Ovett, 3:30.77 1500m WR, 1983, Rieti.

Im my opinion, past his best, but still good enough to recapture the 1500m world record he'd lost earlier in the season to Sydney Marree's 3:31.24 in Cologne.
This run also came in the wake of a disappointing showing by Ovett (despite running the fastest last lap of anyone in the race at 51.9) in the inaugural World Championships in Helsinki. In that race he ran probably his poorest tactical race ever (reminiscent of Coe's 800 Moscow run) to come 4th, while Cram triumphed.
As consolation to himself, Ovett set about getting back his world record, firstly with a near miss on his beloved Koblenz track, before succeeding, much to everyone's surprise, in rather windy conditions in Rieti.
His splits here were: - 54.4, 1:37.5 (700m), 1:51.9 (57.5), 2:35.2 (1000m), 2:49.14 (57.2) and a final 300m of 41.63. His last 400m was 55.6, last 200m 28.0. Ignore the times that come up for 600 and 1200m, they were wrong!
Ovett then, rather foolishly IMO, ran a 1000m 2 days later in Norway, before then flying to London to face Cram at the Palace 3 days after that. Although the public got to see a great head to head in the Mile, I've always felt Ovett was too tired by that race and didn't give his best account against the rested and fresher younger Steve.
I'm always left with permanent speculation about Ovett's true potential not being achieved. If he was able to run 3:30.77 in less than ideal conditions, when past his best and after a serious leg injury, then he should have been able to run quite a bit faster earlier in his career.
Hope all Ovett fans out there enjoy this. It's not totally complete, but most of it's there.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Steve Ovett
• 1500m
• world record
• Rieti
• Cram
• Seb
• Coe
• 1983
• athletics

[AlanBurtonSinger]

I recently read Ovett's 1984 autobigraphy. He claims to have been in the best shape of his life before the '84 Olympics. It's a shame we never got a chance to see a true rematch of Coe and Ovett in LA.

[deano27671]

@AlanBurtonSinger Yes, it's a good read. The fact he could run a 1:44 with all the health troubles he had goes to show he must have been in v. good shape. We'd certainly have got a 1,2,3 in the 1500m.

[deano27671]

@seanofafrica Elliott was at his absolute limit with 1:42.98. He was primarily an 800m runner for most of his career, whereas for Ovett it was always his 2nd event after 1976. After that time though, Ovett's basic 400 speed didn't improve. He was likely a 47 high 400 flat runner from 77 to 81, and then it dropped further. I'd say Elliott must have been around 47 high ability in 90. If Ovett had a few serious attempts at the 800 in 78-80 I think he could have run 1:43 low.

[seanofafrica]

@distance88 I'm sure he could go much faster too. In his bio he said he was capable of 3:27s for 1500m. I believe he could have held the world 800m record pre- Coe's 142.33 had he trained and raced for it in 1977-78. Awesome runner that he was, I don't believe Peter Elliot was more naturally gifted and he ran 1:42.9s at his peak.

[deano27671]

@roger3594 I've just uploaded Ovett's 1500m win in the 81 World Cup. Not sure the nationality of the commentators, but its all there!

[roger3594]

@deano27671 well spotted it was 41.6 not 39.6 , i watched this on the bbc news the night steve broke the record and have been try to trace it since then ,,

once again many thanks for posting it

[distance88]

Steve Ovett, one of my all-time sport heroes! I love the personality of this man.

Would realy like to know what he could have achieved on the clock from 800m to 5000m. Maybe at 800m he was close to his capabilities, but in the other events I`m sure he could have done faster than he has.

Deano: Ingelheim is in Germany, not Norway...

[deano27671]

@yellcarreon I've now uploaded the entire 5000m from the 86 Commonwealths on here.

[markgregamy]

wow i waited 28 years to see this., thanks

[deano27671]

@yellcarreon You're welcome. I think I have Ovett's Commonwealth 5k. I'll get round to it soon.